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Wacky Wednesday: What Fictional Character Are You Most Like?

Have you ever seen “The Big Bang Theory”? It’s probably my favorite show. It’s a sitcom on CBS about a group of friends–Sheldon Cooper (theoretical physicist), Leonard Hofstadter (experimental physicist), Howard Wolowitz (mechanical engineer), Rajesh Koothrappoli (astrophysicist), and Penny (waitress/aspiring actress). While Penny works at The Cheesecake Factory, the other main characters are employed at Caltech in Pasadena.

My husband seems to think that I was separated at birth from Sheldon, who is brilliantly played by Jim Parsons. I am not quite sure how to feel about this. Is this a compliment or an insult? On the one hand, Sheldon is a genius with two doctorates and an IQ of 187. On the other hand, he is weird, socially awkward, and. . . uh. . . crazy.

Sheldon is very particular about his “things.” He doesn’t like people touching them, and he doesn’t like people touching him. So, he is extremely uncomfortable with interactions like hugging. Sheldon has routines that become ritualized–always knocking on a door the same way, always sitting in the same spot, always eating certain food on certain days. He’s a fan of science fiction and comic books and enjoys dressing up as his favorite characters for costume parties, Halloween, and renaissance fairs. Finally, he is always reminding people that his name is Dr. (Not Mr.) Sheldon Cooper.

To be honest, there are some similarities between me and Sheldon. I am a little eccentric. I always say that you have to be a little bit crazy to get a Ph.D. And, yes, I have no problem telling people I am Dr. (not Miss, not Ms., and not Mrs.). While I admit to being “particular” about my things and being an introvert, I blame this on being raised as an only child. We’re a little “different.” Although I have never been the life of the party, that doesn’t mean I haven’t partied (sans costume, of course). Lastly, I do have an aversion to hugging, but my friends and family don’t care. They hug me anyway. On the show, Sheldon is fond of saying, “I’m not crazy; my mother had me tested.” I tend to think everybody’s a little crazy though, even me. I just don’t know if I’m like Sheldon.